Enter Shaun and Joel.
Joel: Hey, where's everyone? Isn't there supposed to be a carolling event here?
Shaun: (looks around) Maybe we're at the wrong hospital.
Joel: I don't see anyone around at all. Do you think this place is like (whispers loudly) Old Changi Hospital? (looks worried)
Shaun: Oi! Don't talk nonsense. Anyway it's Christmas, nothing will dare come out.
Joel: But isn't Christmas when all those ghouls and witches and other horrible things come out and go from house to house and ask for children to eat?
Shaun: (rolls his eyes) No! That's Halloween! And it's the children that go from house to house.
Joel: Those ang moh children eat other children? No wonder they're so much bigger than us!
Shaun: (rolls eyes again) No! Haven't you heard of Santa Claus, or reindeer, presents under the Christmas tree, and snow? Don't you celebrate Christmas?
Joel: No, but I've heard a lot about a Christmas spirit.
Opening strains for {Winter Wonderland}
Joel: (looks frightened) Do you hear that? Do you think that's the Christmas spirit?
They both look around and stand back to back in a frightened huddle. Snow begins to blow around them.
Carolling Ghosts:
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane snow is glistening
A wonderful sight, we're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland.
Gone away are our sorrows
Here to stay - bright tomorrows
We sing you this song as we go along
Walking in this winter wonderland.
(medley to
Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing ring-ting-tingle-ing too
Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling yoohoo!
Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, let's go, let's look at the show!
We're walking in a wonderland of snow!
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, it's grand, just holding your hand
We're gliding along with a song of a wintery fairyland!
Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy and cosy are we
We've snuggled close together as two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!
Music fades.
Joel: (tensely) Did you hear that?
Shaun: (equally tensely) Ya.
Joel: (breathes a sigh of relief) Ok, so it wasn't just my imagination. Did you see anyone?
Shaun: No, but I thought I saw snow falling around us.
Joel: Snow? In Singapore?
Both: (together) What's that in your hair?
They both yell and start brushing madly at their hair, then get down on their knees and pray. Strains to {Jingle Bell Rock}
Carolling Ghosts:
(1) Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bell swing and jingle bells ring
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
Now the jingle rock has begun
(2) Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in jingle bell square
In the frosty air
(3) What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh, one-horse sleigh
(4) Giddy-up, jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and mingle in a jingling beat
That's the jingle bell rock!
Repeat (3), (1) and (4)
Shaun: Something strange just happened. While I was closing my eyes and praying that we won't see anything dirty, I thought I saw you dancing... with some girls.
Joel: Me dancing? No, I was on my knees praying too!
Shaun: But you never pray.
Joel: Well... ok, so I wasn't praying - it was more like thinking.
Shaun: What were you thinking?
Joel: (sheepishly) Well, I was thinking that if we were going to see something dirty, why couldn't it be a bit more like NC-16 kind of dirty...
Shaun: I knew it! You were doing dirty dancing in your head!
Joel: But how can you see what's in my head?
Shaun: I don't know how but I just saw when I closed my eyes. You don't believe me? Try thinking again and I'll tell you what you're thinking of...
Both close their eyes again. {Santa Baby}
Carolling Ghosts:
Santa Baby, just slip a sable under the tree
For me, been an awful good girl
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa baby, a fifty-four convertible too
Light-blue, I'll wait up for you dear
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you'll check off my Christmas list
Santa honey, one little thing I really do need
The deed, to a platinum mine
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing
A ring, I don't mean on the phone
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Shaun: You were thinking dirty again! You were thinking about the girls and they were all acting weird with you!
Joel: Ya, but you kept appearing in my mind and stopping me. Spoilsport!
Shaun: That's because you were going to act like a *beep*
Joel: No, I wasn't! It was just that I miss our class. I mean, today is going to be the last time we're doing something together as a class, and we've gone through so much together... There was the play we did for the school - do you remember what it was about?
Shaun: Diplomacy...
A girl in SIA sarong kebaya steps out and strikes a pose.
Joel: ... and Deterrence!
A uniformed police officer with a rifle steps out and strikes a pose.
Shaun: I played the president of Singapore in that one! (Police salutes him and he hooks his arm with the SIA girl and starts to walk away but Joel pulls him back)
Joel: Then there was the mime we did for MOE Racial Harmony Day!
A mime artist dances out and strikes a pose
Shaun: Time passes so quickly. Now it's already Christmas and all we have are memories...
{Silver Bells}
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear
{chorus} Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day!
Strings of street lights, even stop-lights
Blink a bright red-and-green
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch
This is Santa's big day
And above all this bustle you'll hear
Repeat {chorus}
Joel: Shaun, is Christmas really all about Santa and shopping and presents?
Shaun: Of course! That's why it's my favourite time of the year!
Joel: But I heard someone say that it's the season of giving.
Shaun: Ya, others give and we take!
Joel: But don't you think there might be something else we're missing?
Shaun: (thinks for a while) Hmm... I know! Christmas food! Turkey, black forest log cake and Christmas pudding!
{We Wish You a Merry Christmas}
Carolling Ghosts:
(1) We wish you a merry Christmas (x3)
And a happy New Year.
(chorus) Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
We all want some figgy pudding (x3)
And a cup of good cheer
Repeat {chorus}
We won't go until we get some (x3)
So bring it right here
Repeat {chorus}
Repeat (1)
Shaun: You know something, Joel. I really miss all the fun we had with our class. I don't understand why they didn't want to have a Christmas party together, then we can all have good Christmas food, presents and fun together just like before.
Joel: They said that it's not what Christmas is about. They said it's not about us, or getting a lot of presents - it's more than that.
Shaun: But we're like a family. Shouldn't families be together to celebrate Christmas? I feel like they fly our kite and abandoned us.
Joel: Maybe it wasn't them who ran away. After all, when they wanted to do this carolling project, we didn't really support them all the way, and if you say they're our family, maybe we should have.
Shaun: Ya, but it's our holidays and we shouldn't have to work so hard. I mean, what do we even get out of it?
Joel: They said when we understand what we get out of it, then we'll be able to see the spirits of Christmas. I wonder why they must keep talking about spirits - it makes me nervous.
Shaun: Well, it makes me mad. Where's our famous class spirit that all the teachers used to talk about? We should all be together!
{Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas}
Carolling Ghosts:
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yuletide gay
From now on our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
Shaun: I can't stand it anymore! Where's everyone?
Joel: They must be around somewhere... maybe they're hiding from us?
Shaun: Come out, Afina! Haniz! Ian! Isabel!
Joel: Shaun, don't shout. This is a hospital. Shh!
Shaun: I won't care about the presents or parties. I just want all of us to be together for the last time before we all go our separate ways - is that too much to ask? (sits on the ground and buries his head in his knees)
{All I Want For Christmas Is You}
Carolling Ghosts:
I don't want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know
Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is you.
I don't want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking there upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy with a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know
Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is you.
I won't ask for much this Christmas, I won't even ask for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it to the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to hear those magic reindeer click
I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know
Make my wish come true, baby, all I want for Christmas is you.
All the lights are shining so brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing, I hear those sleigh-bells ringing
Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me?
I don't want a lot for Christmas, this is all I'm asking for
I just wanna see my baby standing right outside my door
I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know
Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is you.
The police, the SIA girl and mime artist go round as the song is sung and pull out everyone from E23 to go onto the stage.
Shaun: (looking up finally at the audience) It's not just about us being together, is it? Christmas is about sharing. Whether it's hard times and hard work, or good times and good things - they're all meant to be shared. When we share our troubles, they become lighter. When we give away what is precious to us, somehow what we have left becomes even more valuable. And when we have friends or family to share all these with, then Christmas really is a blessed time.
Joel: Shaun, look behind you.
Shaun: (smiles) I think we're finally looking at the spirits of Christmas who have been haunting us all this time.
Hugs all around.
Afina: This last song we want to share with everyone here is dedicated especially to the staff of KK Hospital who're on duty over the Christmas period, who are sacrificing their Christmas to care for the people here. We would also like to give out some presents we have managed to collect from well-wishers to the audience. We hope there'll be enough to go around.
{Feliz Navidad}
Everyone:
(1) Feliz Navidad, feliz navidad
Feliz navidad, prospero anio y felicidad!
Repeat (1)
We want to wish you a merry Christmas! (x3)
From the bottom of our hearts!
Repeat until all presents have been given out. Then reprise {Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas}
Everyone:
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yuletide gay
From now on our troubles will be far away.
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
The End
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